The Diary of a Young Girl (The Diary of Anne Frank) - A Novel Study
What's included
6 live meetings
4 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be asked to read the book outside of class. We will not have time to read during class because we will be discussing the novel as a group for the majority of the time. Let me know if you have any questions!Assessment
Students will be given several oprional formal writing assignments throughout the semester. While these are not tests, per se, they can be used as assessment pieces for homeschooling evidence, which many states and countries require. All formal writing in my class will be completed with multiple rounds of written and verbal feedback. Students will have the opportunity to work through their writing skills as a group and 1-1 with me in class!Grading
Grading - Students will have the opportunity to receive a grade in the form of their choosing.I am happy to provide a grade in the form of a percentage, letter, or both. I can also offer a formal letter for submission to state programs. I ask students throughout the semester about their needs for grading and am happy to work with parents to create a plan that meets their needs! Please note that Grading is NOT required.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
"Anne Frank's remarkable diary has become a world classic - a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit. "In 1942, with the Nazis occupying Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, the Franks and another family lived cloistered in the secret upstairs rooms of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death. "In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and surprisingly humorous, her account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and fragility and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short". - Citation is provided below! In our six-week novel study, we will read The Diary of Anne Frank! Through discussions, we will tackle the intricacies of the story to examine the impact that this diary has had on the world. Through our discussions, we will discuss the events of the diary, the characters and how they develop through their experiences, coming-of-age moments by Anne and others, the history behind World War II and the Holocaust, and more! Below is a list of topics and the schedule that we will be following. Please let me know if you have any questions! Citation: Frank, Anne. The Diary of a Young Girl. Definitive ed., New York, Bantam Books, 1952.
Learning Goals
Students will be able to identify the following literary elements: character and character development, genre, plot development and major plot points, symbolism, themes, and more!
Students will engage in discussions and debates with one another as we explore more than just reading comprehension but also the complex decisions the author makes and its cultural and historical connections to the time period.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)6 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to the Diary
- Introduction and Welcome!
- Introduction to the Diary and Anne Frank
- The Who's Who of the Annex
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- World War II and the Holocaust
- Significant Quotes from Anne Frank
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Pages 1 - 52 (STOP at Thursday, November 19th, 1942)
- "Dear Kitty"
- Who's Who of the Annex
- Characterization of Anne and the Franks
- Laws and Escape
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Pages 52 - 105 (Thursday, November 19th, 1942 & Friday, August 20th, 1943)
- Other Members of the Annex
- Repetition - Purpose and the Telling of Experience
- War Updates (Hope and Isolation)
- Keeping (and Losing) Faith
- Timeline of Events
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Pages 105 - 159 (Friday, August 20th, 1943 & Sunday, February 27th, 1944)
- The Everyday Life in the Annex
- Conflict in the Annex
- Truth, Lies, and Delusion
- Coming-of-Age and Young Love
- Timeline of Events
40 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Because this is a novel of a young woman who is coming of age and she lived during one of the toughest times in recent history, the Holocaust and World War II, we will be discussing some subjects that are sensitive and difficult at times. Students are encouraged to talk with one another about it as this is a safe environment to do so. We will have the chance to ask questions and will be discussing these topics in an open format. I ask that students and parents that have concerns to reach out to me about these topics which include racism, sexism, puberty, young love/romance, violence, genocide, war, and more.
The Holocaust is an intense subject and Anne Frank does not shy away from the difficulties of the events that took place. She questions everything about herself, yet is able to be confident in who she is.
Below are links to parental guides and help that you can look at for guidance to help your child. Please let me know if you have any questions!
CommonSenseMedia Parental Guide: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/anne-frank-the-diary-of-a-young-girl
Anne Frank Museum Information: https://www.annefrank.org/en/
Supply List
Students will be asked to purchase a copy of the book as we will be reading everything outside of class. Below are links where you can find the materials! Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/diary-of-a-young-girl-anne-frank/1100608834?ean=9780553577129 Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Anne-Frank-The-Diary-of-a-Young-Girl-Audiobook/B003IEQE1Y?qid=1644763744&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=CC7JC51AMKW152V9HQ73
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
I have taught this novel many times in several different classes, although the ones that occurred most recently are listed below. I have taught in public schools and am a certified teacher in Missouri and in Colorado. I have been teaching novels like this to students on Outschool for two years now as well. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
- Classic Novel Studies: https://outschool.com/classes/classic-literature-a-novel-study-xkvxQwCz?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
- Tutoring: https://outschool.com/classes/individual-tutoring-high-school-english-7xt3oza8?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
I also teach several Holocaust and World War II novels on Outschool which can be found at the following links:
Night by Elie Wiesel:
- Live: https://outschool.com/classes/night-by-elie-wiesel-a-novel-study-qxQzwjAL?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
- Flex-Version: https://outschool.com/classes/night-by-elie-wiesel-a-novel-study-on-the-holocaust-Y8igAlOi?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
The Book Thief: https://outschool.com/classes/the-book-thief-a-novel-study-JEBkbptj?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Prisoner B-3087: https://outschool.com/classes/prisoner-b-3087-by-alan-gratz-a-holocaust-novel-study-tU4b4tGQ?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Reviews
Live Group Course
$19
weekly or $110 for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
40 min
Completed by 12 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
1-6 learners per class